The visit of Pope Francis to Ireland momentarily released Catholics from the shackles of an imposed silence to briefly celebrate their faith in a way not seen since 1979, said the Bishop of Limerick.

Speaking at a retreat for Syro-Malabar Christians in Limerick, Bishop Brendan Leahy said the weekend of the Pope’s visit showed a depth of faith and celebration, joy and solemnity tinged with the realities of the abuse scandals. He said it was not 1979 in terms of the numbers that celebrated as the Church has gone through humiliation and purification, “yet one undeniable constant between now and 1979 was the sense of celebration of our faith.”

He continued: “It was everywhere I turned.  At a time when many have – for one reason or another, not least the scandals that have hit the church – shied away from public expressions of faith, people felt released from shackles for the weekend.  The freedom and joy as they celebrated being part of God’s kingdom was remarkable and not seen since 1979 in this country.